This idea of abandoning the automobile is very profound. We live in a car driven, no pun intended, world and our entire culture is centered on the car. We encounter cars every day, whether we drive in one or we pass them on the street. The car offers us an escape and this idea of freedom. We have created a unique, yet possessive relationship with the automobile this relationship is dominating all others. As the effects of climate change become more apparent, there is a growing need to reduce our emissions. Since transportation accounts for a third of all our emissions, it seems only right to concentrate on this sector. Our gas-guzzling cars no longer seem appropriate means of transport. The electric vehicle seems like the answer to everyone’s problems, especially the Tesla, it’s 100 percent electric. Unfortunately, it’s not affordable to the majority of our population, but it’s a step in the right direction. Richard Watt’s believes that the introduction of the electric car is not the answer, but only a part of the solution. Instead, we should be reducing the amount we drive and providing other alternatives. I agree that the electric vehicle only solves one solution and ignores other social and health implications, but we are on the right track. We need an entirely new paradigm shift to change our behavior, but is it too late to change our relationship with the automobile? Our media and our entire infrastructure is centered on the automobile. What will our world look like without cars and how long will it take for people to get out of their cars and on bicycles or their own feet? What policies does Richard Watts think will effectively enact this change?
I agree with Richard completely on the need to create disincentives for cars. We live in a world that is too car dependent as all the readings in this class have pointed out. I feel as though Vermont will have a difficult time with this transition. Watts pointed out that most trips are within 2 miles, but where I live in Vermont, the nearest "city" to find jobs is at least 18 miles away and most people live on dirt, back roads. I do believe in a better car culture, I just feel as though it should start in the bigger, more populated states, that do not have as many limiting factors (like California). My question for Richard is that does he honestly believe we can rid the world of this car culture that we have now built our cities and societies around? Would we have to pry up all previous infrastructures to make this work or would electric cars be the sole means of transport so the roads can stay?
My question is, so, what? I agree we need to overhaul the system and that switching fuels isn't a long term solution, but how? Watts wants us to incorporate alternatives into that system, without, "a major disruption." But, that is simply adding desirable elements to the car-system, without negating the fact that it's still a car system. A major disruption is exactly what people need, and it is the minimum required to up-end such a firmly entrenched structure in our society. Why aren't things like, a huge mall plopped in the middle of Pine street major disruptions? "Technology solutions are easier for policymakers, because they don’t require behavior change. But switching fuels does not address other issues associated with driving, such as the impacts on human health, land use and the social fabric of our communities." I agree, technological solutions are easy but don't do enough- they're like fad diets. However, I feel that society's structures are a major beacon guiding people's behavior, and to see a change in behavior you will need a change in our society's structures.
My question is, how can you create a bike friendly state and reduce the dependence on cars when Vermont is a rural state and people have to commute far distances to towns where there are jobs. I agree that we should decrease dependency on cars and utilize public transportation. I also agree if we have to drive we should be driving cars that are fuel efficient. Most of the state of Vermont is rural and people commute longer distances to work each day, most of those people are driving with no one else in the car. Maybe creating a carpooling system from rural areas to cities like Burlington, so people might only have to drive halfway with one person in their cars. Even in a rural state like Vermont, there can be ways to create more sustainable forms of transportation.
I like the approach of not putting the electric car up on a pedestal as the end all be all solution. I agree, I think electric cars have their place in the system that is currently established, but the ultimate goal should be to create these communities that CAN thrive via walking and biking and creating these communities on the people scale vs the car scale as Kunstler talks about. My Question is how do we get there? Its definitely going to be a transition, but we need to start and all these grand ideas are out there and stuff is happening. But at the local scale, how do we get more bike paths put in in burlington? More bike lanes along roads. How do we take car of the parking problem throughout the city? I know there is no answer per say, but whats the next step towards a solution?
to add on, how do we make more rural places accessible and how will people living off the beaten path get around and communicate without cars? Or will they?
I agree with the points made in this article. Regarding the revenge of the electric car, it is indeed a step in the right direction, but it remains a band-aid solution. The real issue, our society's behavior, is not being addressed. The electric car may run its course and be nothing but a mere trend of our generation. There could be those who would maintain their sports car collections, or Jeep loyalty, etc. By presenting electric cars as a strategy, among many, for success is an option. But that’s not what is happening here, the electric car is being offered as a solution- a solution still working within the current infrastructure and culture. We cannot work within the system we are trying to change. Sense of community, personal happiness, environmental conservation, and many other factors would all benefit if we were to remove the current car culture. But it seems to me that this is going to be an incredibly long transition- it is the only practical way I can imagine it. Some communities will catch on quick, and be ready and willing to make the transition. I do not believe that others, and our nation as a whole, will be as quick to rise to the challenge. Burlington has a strong, and rapidly growing bike culture. With Local Motion growing, the causeway operating, Chapin Spencer as the Director of Public Works, BRV, and stores like Old Spokes and Skirack Burlington is in a good position to develop a strong thriving bike culture. But with all these resources available, why has this not already happened? What policy's/social following/action needs to occur to really create the desired paradigm shift? what will be that spark that makes biking/walking the "it" thing? and how will that transportation during the winter months? Will public transportation eventually catch on or can we expect winters to remain similar to the individualistic car culture we have now?
Although I feel that we will not be able to move away from the need for fuel based transportation for non-urban areas, such as transport to suburbia and rural places, many cities are putting into place bike share programs which is a great start for reducing congestion in the city, and making transportation accessible for everyone. What place do you think electric vehicles hold in the world of distribution of goods? We have a huge fleet of freight trucks that could definitely do with an electric makeover.
A switch to a nega-mile centered transportation system is very alluring especially considering the additional non-environmental effects it could have on our society, like combating obesity for example. On a national scale this would certainly require massive investments in infrastructure along with a cultural change. Without considering the politics and public opinion of this, were it to implemented it would have amazing effects for our short run and possibly medium run economy. Before the price of gas requires it, how can we initiate a cultural shift in which the populace demands this kind of infrastructure.
I completely agree with your thoughts of electric cars being part of the solution but not our main focus, sometimes I feel like we spend more time on designing innovative “sexy” infrastructure, but we forget to resort to simple measures like focusing on actions to help with efficiency. While I think it’s great that city market has a spot for electric car plug in, think about how many bikers travel through the parking lot, slightly dangerously, compared to how many electric cars come to plug in. Biking infrastructure would be extremely beneficial in this incidence, especially since we have such a biking culture here emerging. I thought this fact was quite interesting, For example, sociologist Robert Putnam found that every additional 10 minutes spent driving cuts community involvement by 10 percent: “The car and the commute ... are bad for community life.” I think by our society is designed on the car, and it’s a very valid point that not everyone has access to cars, that it’s important that we work for the social good. But changing behaviors is such a challenge, people want to do what’s the easiest, and fastest, especially since history has structured our world based on cars.
Question: What do you think about complete streets and biking infrastructure, especially since you bike to and from campus everyday during all weather, do you see vermont capable of implementing this infrastructure, and how would residents of burlington respond do you think?
I've never experienced either the sweet freedom or soul-sucking monotony of driving. But this article reminded me that every single day I'm either kicking myself (when I need to pick up curtains in south burlington) or cheering myself on (my 10 minute walk to work every day, and the money to spend on a post-work brew) for the decision not to learn. I thought what was most interesting was when Watts points out that the majority of trips taken in cars were a mile to two miles long. I thought that articulated so well my frustration in life. When I'm lugging home five bags of groceries from city market down North Union, I stare inside those car windows longingly. And then there's the struggle I'm currently having--I need to pick up curtains from South Burlington. I think it's interesting how with just a little different infrustructure, like a better public transportation or ride-share systems, a lot of the problems that arise with those one to two mile trips might be able to be solved without cars.
Question: How could Burlington change its public transportation system to be more convenient? I feel like I rarely ever consider the bus because the system just seems so unreliable, unless I have a schedule right in front of my face (even then it doesn't always make sense). I'd rather walk up a hill than stand in the cold for half an hour or more. What makes a GOOD bus system?
The first few sentences of this article perfectly sum up the change that needs to be made in our nation regarding transportation. While electric cars are awesome and environmentally friendly, they are still very much cars, and cars encourage driving. Reducing auto-dependence is integral to reducing GHG emissions and as Watts says, addressing "other social, physical and environmental impacts. As we have learned throughout the semester, the car as a non-human actor has agency--the ability to influence decisions in political, social, and environmental arenas. I'd also like to comment on the projections and promises that have been made about future emissions. Obama said that we could cut 1/3 of green house emissions by switching fuels. There is no silver bullet that will magically cut a large chunk of our emissions, and it seems like politicians will say anything, especially if they are making future projections that they won't be held accountable for. I thought this article was full of great points, my favorite being, "You can't endorse and fund an auto-centered system and also expect other modes--walking, biking, public transit, car-pooling--to thrive."
Question:
How do you exactly charge for the real cost of driving? Ridiculous parking fees? Further, how do you do this in a way that won't make people angry. More importantly, how do you do it in a way that will make people happy? If we do shift away from a car-centered society, how do we effectively manage the waste materials and infrastructure?
I agree with most of the points in the article but it only seems to address people that live in urban areas. We are lucky enough to live in a city where walking and biking are legitimate alternatives to using a car most of the time, and it's in places like Burlington that Watts' opinion seems to be the most plausible. What about the sixty one percent of trips that are over two miles? While electric cars are only a temporary solution to using less fuel, it is a necessary step in the right direction. Watts also mentions that commuting in a car cuts down on community time, but wouldn't using public transportation instead of a personal car allow for less time with family and friends, as trips would most likely take longer?
I definitely agree with a lot of what Richard had to say about not putting such a large emphasis on the electric car and not having it as the center of our focus. Because when we do put it in the lime light, it’s viewed as the solution to all our problems. This just says to people that they don’t have to make any changes to their life style as long as they are behind the wheel of an electric car, so I would definitely agree that there needs to be a shift in the way people view transportation. Q: Having infrastructure built around cars has been ingrained in our culture for so long now. How do you influence a cultural shift so people are willing to make that transition to alternative transportation and start making changes in infrastructure and policies?
Although I am very excited about the shift from fossil fuel powered vehicles towards electric (and even more so after hearing from our Tesla-owning guest speaker), Richard watts raises some great points – even electric cars do not completely address human and environmental health. For instance, people commuting via car are at risk of crashes and the ill effects of remaining sedentary for long periods. Moreover, continuing the culture of automobility will likely continue the culture of suburbanization. And after reading Kunstler, we know that this latter system not only destroys our sense community and connection with nature, but also actually destroys ecosystems. Q: Will the United States revamp its transportation infrastructure anytime soon? Maybe a nation-wide network of trains? Or even hyperloop?
I love the sound of a "nega-mile" because it's catchy and I feel like it could be the slogan for this movement. I agree entirely with the article that Dr. Watts has written- electric cars are really cool and a "big step" in the right direction, but in order to actually become sustainable we cannot keep doing business as usual- and that, as we all know, does not apply just to our cars. If we keep our automobile lifestyles the same and just swap out a few things here and there, it will give us an excuse to continue with our food systems and material consumption habits the same way as well. Overall, all of our systems need to be reformed and altered eventually in order to survive, why not start with our transportation system since it is within our reach currently? I was startled by the amount of money that is allotted to public transport even here in Vermont versus how much actually goes to automobility- I was under the impression that it was more. My question is: what are your thoughts on public transportation for someone like me who grew up in the middle of nowhere New Hampshire with an absolute hell of a bike ride even to school, although just 10 miles practically up a mountain on the way home, and living no closer than 8 miles from the nearest store, and 3 younger siblings?
Dr Watts talks about the nega-mile, which is a cool term for something I think about a lot; the idea that lots of people just want new and green ways to continue living their life the same way, and are reluctant to changing their behavior. I want everyone to be conscious of this. He also kind of implies dismantling car infrastructure which is very cool, Kunstleresque, and something I can get behind.
Question: Are you dissatisfied with public transportation systems that are generally considered good? (like in NYC) Or just in places where it's not well-implemented? (like Burlington)
This idea of abandoning the automobile is very profound. We live in a car driven, no pun intended, world and our entire culture is centered on the car. We encounter cars every day, whether we drive in one or we pass them on the street. The car offers us an escape and this idea of freedom. We have created a unique, yet possessive relationship with the automobile this relationship is dominating all others. As the effects of climate change become more apparent, there is a growing need to reduce our emissions. Since transportation accounts for a third of all our emissions, it seems only right to concentrate on this sector. Our gas-guzzling cars no longer seem appropriate means of transport. The electric vehicle seems like the answer to everyone’s problems, especially the Tesla, it’s 100 percent electric. Unfortunately, it’s not affordable to the majority of our population, but it’s a step in the right direction. Richard Watt’s believes that the introduction of the electric car is not the answer, but only a part of the solution. Instead, we should be reducing the amount we drive and providing other alternatives. I agree that the electric vehicle only solves one solution and ignores other social and health implications, but we are on the right track. We need an entirely new paradigm shift to change our behavior, but is it too late to change our relationship with the automobile? Our media and our entire infrastructure is centered on the automobile. What will our world look like without cars and how long will it take for people to get out of their cars and on bicycles or their own feet? What policies does Richard Watts think will effectively enact this change?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Richard completely on the need to create disincentives for cars. We live in a world that is too car dependent as all the readings in this class have pointed out. I feel as though Vermont will have a difficult time with this transition. Watts pointed out that most trips are within 2 miles, but where I live in Vermont, the nearest "city" to find jobs is at least 18 miles away and most people live on dirt, back roads. I do believe in a better car culture, I just feel as though it should start in the bigger, more populated states, that do not have as many limiting factors (like California). My question for Richard is that does he honestly believe we can rid the world of this car culture that we have now built our cities and societies around? Would we have to pry up all previous infrastructures to make this work or would electric cars be the sole means of transport so the roads can stay?
ReplyDeleteMy question is, so, what? I agree we need to overhaul the system and that switching fuels isn't a long term solution, but how? Watts wants us to incorporate alternatives into that system, without, "a major disruption." But, that is simply adding desirable elements to the car-system, without negating the fact that it's still a car system. A major disruption is exactly what people need, and it is the minimum required to up-end such a firmly entrenched structure in our society. Why aren't things like, a huge mall plopped in the middle of Pine street major disruptions?
ReplyDelete"Technology solutions are easier for policymakers, because they don’t require behavior change. But switching fuels does not address other issues associated with driving, such as the impacts on human health, land use and the social fabric of our communities." I agree, technological solutions are easy but don't do enough- they're like fad diets. However, I feel that society's structures are a major beacon guiding people's behavior, and to see a change in behavior you will need a change in our society's structures.
My question is, how can you create a bike friendly state and reduce the dependence on cars when Vermont is a rural state and people have to commute far distances to towns where there are jobs. I agree that we should decrease dependency on cars and utilize public transportation. I also agree if we have to drive we should be driving cars that are fuel efficient. Most of the state of Vermont is rural and people commute longer distances to work each day, most of those people are driving with no one else in the car. Maybe creating a carpooling system from rural areas to cities like Burlington, so people might only have to drive halfway with one person in their cars. Even in a rural state like Vermont, there can be ways to create more sustainable forms of transportation.
ReplyDeleteI like the approach of not putting the electric car up on a pedestal as the end all be all solution. I agree, I think electric cars have their place in the system that is currently established, but the ultimate goal should be to create these communities that CAN thrive via walking and biking and creating these communities on the people scale vs the car scale as Kunstler talks about. My Question is how do we get there? Its definitely going to be a transition, but we need to start and all these grand ideas are out there and stuff is happening. But at the local scale, how do we get more bike paths put in in burlington? More bike lanes along roads. How do we take car of the parking problem throughout the city? I know there is no answer per say, but whats the next step towards a solution?
ReplyDeleteto add on, how do we make more rural places accessible and how will people living off the beaten path get around and communicate without cars? Or will they?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the points made in this article. Regarding the revenge of the electric car, it is indeed a step in the right direction, but it remains a band-aid solution. The real issue, our society's behavior, is not being addressed. The electric car may run its course and be nothing but a mere trend of our generation. There could be those who would maintain their sports car collections, or Jeep loyalty, etc. By presenting electric cars as a strategy, among many, for success is an option. But that’s not what is happening here, the electric car is being offered as a solution- a solution still working within the current infrastructure and culture. We cannot work within the system we are trying to change. Sense of community, personal happiness, environmental conservation, and many other factors would all benefit if we were to remove the current car culture.
ReplyDeleteBut it seems to me that this is going to be an incredibly long transition- it is the only practical way I can imagine it. Some communities will catch on quick, and be ready and willing to make the transition. I do not believe that others, and our nation as a whole, will be as quick to rise to the challenge. Burlington has a strong, and rapidly growing bike culture. With Local Motion growing, the causeway operating, Chapin Spencer as the Director of Public Works, BRV, and stores like Old Spokes and Skirack Burlington is in a good position to develop a strong thriving bike culture. But with all these resources available, why has this not already happened? What policy's/social following/action needs to occur to really create the desired paradigm shift? what will be that spark that makes biking/walking the "it" thing? and how will that transportation during the winter months? Will public transportation eventually catch on or can we expect winters to remain similar to the individualistic car culture we have now?
Although I feel that we will not be able to move away from the need for fuel based transportation for non-urban areas, such as transport to suburbia and rural places, many cities are putting into place bike share programs which is a great start for reducing congestion in the city, and making transportation accessible for everyone. What place do you think electric vehicles hold in the world of distribution of goods? We have a huge fleet of freight trucks that could definitely do with an electric makeover.
ReplyDeleteA switch to a nega-mile centered transportation system is very alluring especially considering the additional non-environmental effects it could have on our society, like combating obesity for example. On a national scale this would certainly require massive investments in infrastructure along with a cultural change. Without considering the politics and public opinion of this, were it to implemented it would have amazing effects for our short run and possibly medium run economy. Before the price of gas requires it, how can we initiate a cultural shift in which the populace demands this kind of infrastructure.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your thoughts of electric cars being part of the solution but not our main focus, sometimes I feel like we spend more time on designing innovative “sexy” infrastructure, but we forget to resort to simple measures like focusing on actions to help with efficiency. While I think it’s great that city market has a spot for electric car plug in, think about how many bikers travel through the parking lot, slightly dangerously, compared to how many electric cars come to plug in. Biking infrastructure would be extremely beneficial in this incidence, especially since we have such a biking culture here emerging. I thought this fact was quite interesting, For example, sociologist Robert Putnam found that every additional 10 minutes spent driving cuts community involvement by 10 percent: “The car and the commute ... are bad for community life.” I think by our society is designed on the car, and it’s a very valid point that not everyone has access to cars, that it’s important that we work for the social good. But changing behaviors is such a challenge, people want to do what’s the easiest, and fastest, especially since history has structured our world based on cars.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: What do you think about complete streets and biking infrastructure, especially since you bike to and from campus everyday during all weather, do you see vermont capable of implementing this infrastructure, and how would residents of burlington respond do you think?
I've never experienced either the sweet freedom or soul-sucking monotony of driving. But this article reminded me that every single day I'm either kicking myself (when I need to pick up curtains in south burlington) or cheering myself on (my 10 minute walk to work every day, and the money to spend on a post-work brew) for the decision not to learn. I thought what was most interesting was when Watts points out that the majority of trips taken in cars were a mile to two miles long. I thought that articulated so well my frustration in life. When I'm lugging home five bags of groceries from city market down North Union, I stare inside those car windows longingly. And then there's the struggle I'm currently having--I need to pick up curtains from South Burlington. I think it's interesting how with just a little different infrustructure, like a better public transportation or ride-share systems, a lot of the problems that arise with those one to two mile trips might be able to be solved without cars.
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
How could Burlington change its public transportation system to be more convenient? I feel like I rarely ever consider the bus because the system just seems so unreliable, unless I have a schedule right in front of my face (even then it doesn't always make sense). I'd rather walk up a hill than stand in the cold for half an hour or more. What makes a GOOD bus system?
The first few sentences of this article perfectly sum up the change that needs to be made in our nation regarding transportation. While electric cars are awesome and environmentally friendly, they are still very much cars, and cars encourage driving. Reducing auto-dependence is integral to reducing GHG emissions and as Watts says, addressing "other social, physical and environmental impacts. As we have learned throughout the semester, the car as a non-human actor has agency--the ability to influence decisions in political, social, and environmental arenas. I'd also like to comment on the projections and promises that have been made about future emissions. Obama said that we could cut 1/3 of green house emissions by switching fuels. There is no silver bullet that will magically cut a large chunk of our emissions, and it seems like politicians will say anything, especially if they are making future projections that they won't be held accountable for. I thought this article was full of great points, my favorite being, "You can't endorse and fund an auto-centered system and also expect other modes--walking, biking, public transit, car-pooling--to thrive."
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
How do you exactly charge for the real cost of driving? Ridiculous parking fees? Further, how do you do this in a way that won't make people angry. More importantly, how do you do it in a way that will make people happy? If we do shift away from a car-centered society, how do we effectively manage the waste materials and infrastructure?
I agree with most of the points in the article but it only seems to address people that live in urban areas. We are lucky enough to live in a city where walking and biking are legitimate alternatives to using a car most of the time, and it's in places like Burlington that Watts' opinion seems to be the most plausible. What about the sixty one percent of trips that are over two miles? While electric cars are only a temporary solution to using less fuel, it is a necessary step in the right direction. Watts also mentions that commuting in a car cuts down on community time, but wouldn't using public transportation instead of a personal car allow for less time with family and friends, as trips would most likely take longer?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with a lot of what Richard had to say about not putting such a large emphasis on the electric car and not having it as the center of our focus. Because when we do put it in the lime light, it’s viewed as the solution to all our problems. This just says to people that they don’t have to make any changes to their life style as long as they are behind the wheel of an electric car, so I would definitely agree that there needs to be a shift in the way people view transportation. Q: Having infrastructure built around cars has been ingrained in our culture for so long now. How do you influence a cultural shift so people are willing to make that transition to alternative transportation and start making changes in infrastructure and policies?
Although I am very excited about the shift from fossil fuel powered vehicles towards electric (and even more so after hearing from our Tesla-owning guest speaker), Richard watts raises some great points – even electric cars do not completely address human and environmental health. For instance, people commuting via car are at risk of crashes and the ill effects of remaining sedentary for long periods. Moreover, continuing the culture of automobility will likely continue the culture of suburbanization. And after reading Kunstler, we know that this latter system not only destroys our sense community and connection with nature, but also actually destroys ecosystems.
ReplyDeleteQ: Will the United States revamp its transportation infrastructure anytime soon? Maybe a nation-wide network of trains? Or even hyperloop?
I love the sound of a "nega-mile" because it's catchy and I feel like it could be the slogan for this movement. I agree entirely with the article that Dr. Watts has written- electric cars are really cool and a "big step" in the right direction, but in order to actually become sustainable we cannot keep doing business as usual- and that, as we all know, does not apply just to our cars. If we keep our automobile lifestyles the same and just swap out a few things here and there, it will give us an excuse to continue with our food systems and material consumption habits the same way as well. Overall, all of our systems need to be reformed and altered eventually in order to survive, why not start with our transportation system since it is within our reach currently? I was startled by the amount of money that is allotted to public transport even here in Vermont versus how much actually goes to automobility- I was under the impression that it was more. My question is: what are your thoughts on public transportation for someone like me who grew up in the middle of nowhere New Hampshire with an absolute hell of a bike ride even to school, although just 10 miles practically up a mountain on the way home, and living no closer than 8 miles from the nearest store, and 3 younger siblings?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDr Watts talks about the nega-mile, which is a cool term for something I think about a lot; the idea that lots of people just want new and green ways to continue living their life the same way, and are reluctant to changing their behavior. I want everyone to be conscious of this. He also kind of implies dismantling car infrastructure which is very cool, Kunstleresque, and something I can get behind.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Are you dissatisfied with public transportation systems that are generally considered good? (like in NYC) Or just in places where it's not well-implemented? (like Burlington)